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DUBAI: Sussex's bowlers work hard in Dubai heat

27-Mar-2012

Sussex’s bowlers were made to toil in the Dubai heat earlier today as Durham looked to exact revenge for the two previous defeats inflicted on them, and they reached 309 for 5 on the first day of a two-day friendly match.

After beating Durham in both the Emirates Airline Twenty20 Tournament on Friday last week before defeating them in a 40-over affair yesterday, Sussex took the field in sweltering heat this morning as the final match of their pre-season tour commenced.

And Durham managed to bat through until lunch without losing a wicket. Michael di Venuto (46) and Will Smith (40) saw them through to 95 without loss from 27 overs as six bowlers had already been used by Sussex. Naveed Arif Gondal and Jimmy Anyon opened the bowling before Lewis Hatchett, Amjad Khan, Kirk Wernars and Will Adkin had all bowled useful overs in preparation for the new season.

Sussex’s bowlers managed to hit back after lunch though and the introduction of Will Beer who picked up two wickets bought them back into the game. Anyon, Hatchett and skipper Michael Yardy all claimed a wicket apiece but Scott Borthwick’s unbeaten 80 for Durham saw them close the day on 309 for 5 from 75 overs.